IF YOU GIVE CHARITY TO KRISHNA, YOU CAN PURCHASE KRISHNA

As soon as you have got money. Best thing is, as soon as you get money, immediately you spend it for Krishna. Tyāgena means charity. Not that you starve. No. You keep yourself fit to execute Krishna consciousness, but don’t keep much money. Immediately give in charity to Krishna. Krishna can take your charity as much as you can give.

Just like Bali Mahārāja. Bali Mahārāja, he secured the whole three worlds. He became the master of the three worlds, i.e. the upper planetary system, lower planetary system, middle planets. But he was a devotee also. Therefore Krishna came to him as Vāmana.

Lord Vamana, the dwarf incarnation of Krishna

chalayasi vikramane balim adbhuta vāmana

pada-nakha-nīra-janita-jana-pāvana

keśava dhrta vāmana śarīra

jaya jagadīśa hare

So, because he was very proud of his possession, therefore Vāmanadeva came to Bali Mahārāja: “Mahārāja, you are ksatriya. I have heard that you are very charitable. If you can give me a little land?” So Bali Mahārāja was very much pleased: “Yes, I will give You. How much land do You want?” ‘Now, three feet.’ “Three feet? For this you have come to me?” ‘Yes, yes.’ So, “All right, I will give you three feet.”

So by one feet He covered the whole sky, and the other feet, he covered the whole lower planetary system. So Bali Mahārāja understood that what kind of beggar is He. (laughter) Yes. So Vāmanadeva said, “My dear Bali Mahārāja, you promised three feet, but by two feet you have finished all your possession. So what about the other feet?”

So Bali Mahārāja, he was a devotee. He said, “My Lord, don’t worry. Still there is. It is my head. Place Your other feet on my head.” So Vāmanadeva said, “Now you have purchased Me by your charity. I shall remain your doorkeeper.” So if you make charity to Krishna you can purchase Krishna. Yes. Although Krishna is all-powerful proprietor, you can purchase Krishna. So do that. If you have got any money, spend for Krishna consciousness.

[An excerpt from a lecture from the Srimad Bhagavatam 6.1.12-14, Honolulu, May 14 1976]